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An online journal about visual art, the urban landscape and design. Mary Louise Schumacher, the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic, leads the discussion and a community of writers contribute to the dialogue.

Demo may be put on hold for Sydney Hih

The City of Milwaukee's city attorney has clarified a position about the Sydney Hih building, a 19th-century building under a raze order from the Department of Neighborhood Services.

As it turns out, a demolition permit was not issued, only applied for, before a group of people got together and petitioned to have the building designated historic. What this means is that the city may have to put the demolition on hold if the Historic Preservation Commission approves the designation.

The Common Council will have to rule against the historic designation for the demolition to go forward.

"It looks like we just caught a huge break," wrote Noah Skowronski in an email, forwarding the letter from Grant F. Langley, the city attorney, and Mary L. Schanning, assistant city attorney, to various interested parties. Skowronski worked with Erik Ljung and Erin Dorbin to file the petition for interim designation.

A hearing before the HPC is set for Thursday at 9 a.m. in City Hall room 301-B. The public will be invited to speak.

Read today's story about the state of the controversy over the building and share your recollections about the Sydney Hih and opinion about its fate in our forum.

About Mary Louise Schumacher

Mary Louise Schumacher is the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic. She writes about culture, design, the urban landscape and Milwaukee's creative community. Art City is her award-winning cultural page and a community of more than 20 contributing writers and artists. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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